新西兰英语 102 Electricity problems in Auckland

　　Yesterday, the power went off in parts of eastern Auckland¹ and Newmarket around 1.10pm. There was a fault in the transformer² at the Penrose sub-station. This sub-station usually has three transformers³ but one was not working because it was being maintained⁴, another broke down and the third transformer could not carry the load. These transformers are 35 years old but they are well maintained.
For some time yesterday, about 74,000 people had no power. Many shops, restaurants and businesses in Newmarket and Sylvia Park had to close. This meant a loss⁵ of money, maybe millions of dollars. Traffic lights did not work. Electricity is used to pump sewage a long way out to sea but yesterday this did not work so sewage went straight into the harbour. People were told not to swim near St Heliers and Okahu Bays⁶ and not to collect shellfish there.
Meanwhile, Transpower is working fast to fix the transformers. The company has asked people not to use too much electricity and they have turned off hot water in houses to save power.
Today there was also fault in the Otahuhu sub-station. Power was off for around 30 minutes in some areas.
Auckland has had electricity problems before. Ten years ago, the central city had no electricity for five weeks. Three years ago, the Otahuhu sub-station broke down.
The Energy Minister, Gerry Brownlee, said the government has given $50 million to improve electricity supplies but it may not be enough.

1 Auckland   

n.奥克兰(新西兰港市)

参考例句：

• Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand.奥克兰是新西兰最大的城市。
• Return to auckland by bus in afternoon.下午乘车返回奥克兰。

2 transformer   

n.变形金刚，变压器

参考例句：

• Keep away from the transformer.不要靠近那个变压器。
• The transformer is more expensive than the toy train.变形金刚比玩具火车贵得多。

3 transformers   

n.变压器( transformer的名词复数 )；促使变化的（或人物），改革者

参考例句：

• The magnetic cores of transformers and other apparatus are laminated. 把变压器及其它仪器的磁心分层。 来自辞典例句
• Several distributor transformers had fallen from the poles, and secondary wires and service drops were down. 几个配电变压器从电线杆上摔下来，副线及吊饰也垂下来。 来自辞典例句

4 maintained   

保持( maintain的过去式和过去分词 )； 保养； 坚持； 保卫

参考例句：

• He maintained a professional demeanour throughout. 他始终保持着专业人才的风度。
• Throughout his trial he maintained a dignified silence. 在整个审讯过程中，他始终沉默以保持尊严。

5 loss   

n.损失，遗失，失败，输，浪费，错过，[军]伤亡，降低

参考例句：

• His death was a great loss to the country.他的逝世对这个国家是一大损失。
• Because of the continued loss,the factory closed down.由于连续亏损，工厂关闭了。

6 bays   

（海或湖的）湾( bay的名词复数 )； 分隔间（户外或室内的，用以停放车辆、存放货物等）； 月桂树； 低沉的吠声

参考例句：

• Bays says he's not surprised by this finding. Bays说，他对这一发现并不惊讶。
• Bays reviewed the Shively study for WebMD. Bays评论了WebMD上Shively的研究。